Chapter 85 She really is my own daughter
The red-lacquered wooden door of the state-run restaurant was wide open.
The signboard above the door was polished to a shine.
As soon as I arrived at the restaurant, there were already quite a few customers.
For the sake of quiet, Xie Jiang asked the restaurant to arrange the three tables of banquet he had booked under the old locust tree in the backyard, separating them from the hustle and bustle of the front hall.
The table was covered with a faded blue cloth, and enamel bowls and white porcelain plates were neatly arranged, on which were placed braised pork, salted braised pork belly, steamed pork with rice flour, crispy rice crust with pork slices, crispy pork soup, stir-fried lettuce with pork slices, tiger-skin green peppers, stewed pork ribs with vermicelli, shredded potatoes, Mapo tofu...
The backyard of the state-run restaurant was filled with the delicious aroma of vegetables and meat.
Everyone sat down, except for Chen Jiahui, who had just returned after washing her hands. She looked at Qiao Xingyue and Xie Zhongming sitting side by side, looking incredibly well-matched, and felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
Xie Zhongming was wearing a military green uniform, and the star-shaped flowers on his shoulders made him look tall and straight.
Standing next to her, Qiao Xingyue wore an orange polka-dot Angela dress. Her long hair was tied into a single braid with a matching silk ribbon, hanging down in front of her chest, making her look particularly youthful and beautiful. When she smiled, her features were clean and sharp, full of spirit.
The two occasionally exchanged glances. Xie Zhongming's eyes were full of adoration, while Qiao Xingyue smiled with pursed lips, subtly adjusting his upturned collar. Even when they spoke with their heads down, their bodies unconsciously leaned closer to each other, their breaths mingling, displaying perfect understanding.
The two, one strong and the other gentle, one heroic and the other elegant, sat together like figures in a painting, becoming the most comforting sight amidst the hustle and bustle of the table.
How amazing is this fate!
A person is destined to be married to someone, and it is destined that they will be married to someone.
Chen Jiahui has probably truly let go!
She will continue to maintain her proper sense of propriety and will never bother Commander Xie again. However, she will openly and generously become good sisters with Xingyue, the kind of good sisters who can share hardships together.
Seeing that Chen Jia Hui was the only one who hadn't taken a seat yet, Qiao Xingyue waved to her, "Jia Hui, come, sit here."
There was just one empty seat on the long bench to the right.
Xiao Songhua was sitting on the right.
Chen Jiahui sat down gracefully, while Xiao Songhua next to her tensed up slightly.
The drinking party was in full swing.
The old chief Chen Shenghua, sitting in the main seat, put down his enamel mug, patted Xie Zhongming next to him who looked like he was soaking in honey, and his loud voice drowned out the laughter at the table:
"Zhongming, you and Xingyue have finally overcome all your hardships and are reunited. This glass of wine is a toast to you two!"
As he spoke, Chen Shenghua stood up, holding a small cup that symbolized the end of the workday.
The cup contains Luzhou Laojiao liquor.
The aroma of wine filled the air.
Xie Zhongming and Qiao Xingyue also quickly stood up.
The two stood respectfully in front of Chen Shenghua. Xie Zhongming casually patted Qiao Xingyue's arm, a shy yet sincere smile on his face.
He quickly picked up two glasses, and the couple clinked glasses with Chen Shenghua.
Chen Shenghua looked at Xie Zhongming with a smile that was also serious, "Live well from now on, take care of each other. This glass of wine is to wish you both a happy and harmonious life! Zhongming, I'll drink this. You drink Xingyue's glass for her."
Even without Chen Shenghua's instructions, Xie Zhongming would not have allowed Qiao Xingyue to drink this cup of wine.
After finishing his drink, he took Xingyue's wine glass and downed another one.
When Chen Shenghua held his wine glass and looked at Qiao Xingyue, his gaze was filled with the tenderness of a father looking at his daughter.
“Xingyue, Uncle Chen has heard about what happened to your family. Don’t be sad. From now on, you will have your parents-in-law, as well as me and your Aunt Wang. The Xie family is your husband’s family, and from now on, our family will be your family. Your Aunt Wang and I will be your biological parents, and Jia Hui will be your biological sister.”
Chen Shenghua always remembered Qiao Xingyue's life-saving grace and truly treated her like his own daughter.
Upon hearing this, Qiao Xingyue felt a lump in her throat.
She felt the genuine emotions emanating from Chen Shenghua, the love and care of an elder for a younger generation, like a father's love.
My eyes suddenly welled up with tears.
She quickly filled her glass with Luzhou Laojiao liquor, raised it, and toasted Chen Shenghua, saying, "Uncle Chen, this is a toast to you. If you ever need anything from me in the future, just let me know. I am now the Chen family's own daughter."
The wine in her glass was gulped down cleanly as she tilted her head back.
Although the liquor of this era had a slightly burning sensation when drunk, it left a sweet aftertaste.
Xie Zhongming was about to stop her and offer to drink the glass of wine for her, but she had already downed it in one gulp.
Then, the group sat down, and Chen Shenghua instructed Xie Zhongming, "Zhongming, you mustn't bully Xingyue in the future. You must treat her well and make up for all the suffering she endured. If you dare to bully Xingyue, your Uncle Chen will be the first to not let you off the hook."
When he was in the division headquarters, Chen Shenghua was the leader.
In private, he is a kind and gentle elder.
Wang Shufen, standing next to Chen Shenghua, looked at Qiao Xingyue with kind eyes. "Xingyue, if Zhongming dares to bully you, Aunt Wang will be the first to not let him off the hook. But we all believe in Zhongming, and we're sure he'll live a good life with you."
"Xingyue, your Uncle Chen said that Zhongming's application for a family compound a while ago has been approved." Xie Jiang took over the conversation. "Dad wants to ask your opinion. Would you like to move to your compound with Zhongming and An'an and Ningning? Of course, your mother and I would prefer that you two live near us. Your mother, Grandma, and I can help take care of the two children."
Xie Jiang and Huang Guilan have already discussed it.
If the young couple can stay, we'll buy some new furniture and let them live upstairs.
Of course, young people have their own lifestyle and independent space. If they want to move out, the elderly couple will go over and decorate the courtyard, adding some new furniture.
Before Qiao Xingyue could speak, Xie Zhongming took over the conversation, "Dad, the house is too crowded. Third Brother and Fifth Brother have nowhere to stay when they come back. Xingyue and I should move out."
Huang Guilan knew exactly what her son was thinking, so she smiled and agreed, "Okay, your third brother and fifth brother are coming back, and there's really nowhere for them to stay. Xingyue, tomorrow Mom will go with you to the department store to pick out some new furniture, what do you think?"
Xingyue actually prefers living in a small courtyard with Huang Guilan and the others, where they can take care of each other.
She also loves this big family.
She replied, "Mom, if you don't mind me, An'an, and Ningning, let's live like this. We'll live upstairs, and you can live downstairs. It's fine."
Before she could finish speaking, Xie Zhongming quickly interjected, "Xingyue, my third brother and fifth elder are coming home soon, and they won't have anywhere to stay. If we move out, they'll have a place to sleep when they come back."
Huang Guilan listened to Xie Zhongming's steady and calm voice, and realized he had no ulterior motives.
But how could she, as the mother, not know what her fourth son was thinking?
After finally clearing up the misunderstanding with Xingyue, Xingyue agreed to live a good life with him, so naturally they would move out to live separately for more convenience.
Huang Guilan quickly chimed in, "Yes, Xingyue, if your third brother and fifth brother come back, there really won't be a place for them to stay. Of course, Mom wants you to stay at home, but I'm afraid it will be too crowded when your third brother and fifth brother come back, and you'll feel wronged."
Qiao Xingyue hurriedly asked, "Are Third Brother and Fifth Brother coming back?"
Of the Xie family members, she had only met her eldest sister-in-law, Shen Liping. She hadn't met her eldest and second brothers and their wives, nor her third and fifth brothers.
Although she had never met them, Qiao Xingyue felt that everyone in the Xie family must have sound values and be reliable, judging from Xie Jiang and Huang Guilan's parenting styles.
She smiled and replied, "We should vacate the rooms of Third Brother and Fifth Brother, and Zhongming, An'an, Ningning, and I will move out."
As soon as she finished speaking, Chen Jiahui smiled and chimed in, "Xingyue, then I'll go with you to pick out furniture. I can also help with some repairs and cleaning of your little courtyard. Many hands make light work."
The family quarters that were allocated to us were all places where other people had lived.
Perhaps some military officer or leader was transferred and his whole family moved to another military region, which is why the small courtyard is now vacant.
Therefore, there are still many areas that need repair and cleaning.
Jiangbei Yang, Jiangbei Song, and Xiao Songhua echoed, "We brothers will also go and help."
During the meal, Jiang Beiyang and Jiang Beisong's parents, Jiang Degui and Zhang Hongmei, also gave Xie Zhongming a few words of advice, telling her to take good care of Xingyue and the two children.
Xie Zhongming drank quite a bit of alcohol during the meal.
Qiao Xingyue also drank some wine.
After a hearty meal and several rounds of drinks, the dinner ended amidst everyone's blessings for Qiao Xingyue and Xie Zhongming.
As darkness fell, the families went home together under the cover of night.
...
The two brothers, Jiang Beiyang and Jiang Beisong, along with Jiang's parents, Jiang Degui and Zhang Hongmei, entered the Jiang family courtyard.
The Jiang family lived right next door to the Xie family; they could even hear the sound of the door opening next door.
“Bei Yang, Bei Song, Zhong Ming’s two daughters are already four or five years old. But you two, whenever it comes to finding a partner, you always come up with one excuse or another.”
"Also, Bei Song, give up on marrying Jiang Chunyan. I don't like Deng Yingying. She's not good enough to be my daughter-in-law."
Recently, Zhang Hongmei has bumped into Deng Yingying several times, and she came to see her second son, Jiang Beisong.
She always dresses up in a flamboyant way; it's obvious she's trying to seduce his second son.
But Jiang Beisong had a crush on Deng Yingying since he was a child.
Deng Yingying looks well-behaved and greets everyone with a smile, appearing very polite, but in reality, she's just as wicked as Jiang Chunyan.
Zhang Hongmei knew perfectly well how Jiang Chunyan had married the deceased Deng.
Jiang Chunyan was dark-skinned and thin, and uneducated. She was not a good match for the handsome and talented Lao Deng in any way. She took a fancy to Lao Deng and went to the black market to buy veterinary drugs for breeding and had sex with him.
Old Deng had no choice but to marry her.
On the door of the Jiang family's main room, there was an old-fashioned brass lock.
Zhang Hongmei unlocked the door, pushed it open, and turned on the power light.
The bright light shone on the tall and handsome figures of the Jiang brothers, Song and Yang, who entered one after the other.
Both brothers resembled Jiang Degui; they were tall, had regular features, and were dignified in appearance.
Zhang Hongmei's gaze fell on her second son, Jiang Beisong. "Beisong, you'd better watch out for that woman surnamed Deng lately. All these years she's been focused on Xie Zhongming, but suddenly she's changed and keeps coming to see you every now and then. Don't tell me she's pregnant with a bastard and wants to cling to you."
Upon entering the house, Jiang Beiyang, carrying an enamel cup to brew tea, thought to himself: This is truly amazing.
How could her mother have foreseen this?
Just two days ago, Zhongming reminded him that Deng Yingying was pregnant and wanted to find someone to marry.
Deng Yingying's first choice for finding a father for the illegitimate child in her belly was Xie Zhongming; otherwise, there wouldn't have been that scene between Qiao Xingyue and Xie Zhongming in the cornfield.
Deng Yingying's scheme against Xie Zhongming inadvertently led to Qiao Xingyue's success.
That's why they set their sights on his second brother.
Jiang Beiyang brewed four cups of tea, handing one to Jiang Degui and one to Zhang Hongmei. "Dad, Mom, have some tea. I have something to say to my second brother. Second brother, come inside with me."
Then, he handed Jiang Beisong a cup of tea.
Jiang Beisong accepted the enamel mug.
The rising steam from the cup reflected his serious expression. "Mom, Yingying isn't that kind of tactless girl. How could she be pregnant out of wedlock? Don't say things like that again."
As Zhang Hongmei watched Jiang Beisong enter Jiang Beiyang's room, she shouted, "My intuition was right. Deng Yingying is no good person."
Once inside, Jiang Beisong, not wanting to hear his mother nagging about Deng Yingying anymore, closed the door. "Beiyang, what's up?"
Jiang Beiyang turned on the power cord.
The 15-watt light bulb overhead illuminated his serious face. "Second brother, don't blame Mom for reminding you just now. It's true. Deng Yingying is really pregnant, but we don't know who the father is. Have you noticed that she's become more attentive and proactive towards you lately?"
"How can you talk nonsense like your mother without any real evidence?"
Jiang Beisong slammed the enamel mug he was holding onto Jiang Beiyang's desk.
The spilled tea water soaked into the file folder on the table.
Jiang Beiyang quickly picked up the file folder and wiped it clean. "I'm telling the truth. Comrade Xingyue overheard Deng Yingying and her daughter Jiang Chunyan plotting this under the locust tree behind the state-run restaurant. Deng Yingying's first choice was Xie Zhongming; she's keeping you as a backup. Seeing that she couldn't handle Xie Zhongming, she started targeting you. Don't be fooled. When you see Deng Yingying's true colors, you'll regret it."
Jiang Beisong didn't say anything more.
From a young age, Deng Yingying always greeted everyone with a smile, was exceptionally polite, and had a sweet voice.
They are also particularly willing to help others.
How could anyone have such filthy thoughts?
He pondered for a moment, then said seriously, "Seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving. If I don't even believe the women I like, what kind of man am I?"
After saying that, he took his tea and walked out of Jiangbei Yang's house.
Leaving Jiang Beiyang behind, he said in a heavy tone, "I think you only realized how blind you were after you really stumbled. Think about it yourself, why would Zhongming and Xingyue be rolling around in the cornfield for no reason? And why did Deng Yingying just happen to see it and even go to the army to call a bunch of people to catch them in the act?"
Jiang Beisong, who was standing at the door, turned his head slightly, frowned, and remained silent. "..."
"Think about it yourself." Jiang Beiyang picked up his enamel basin from under the bed, then tore his washcloth from the rope beside the bed and put it in the basin. "I'm going to take a shower."
...
The Xie Family Courtyard.
An An was taking a shower in the toilet.
Xie Zhongming went outside the courtyard and retrieved two sets of new clothes and two pairs of new underwear. He had just bought them for An'an and Ningning a few days ago, and he had personally washed them with soap.
Judging that the two kids would be done bathing soon, Xie Zhongming gently knocked on the bathroom door. "Xingyue, I'm collecting An'an and Ningning's change of clothes. Here you go."
When Qiao Xingyue opened the door a crack, he handed the little clothes in and added, "After you're done washing, let An'an and Ningning come out so I can dry their hair."
An'an and Ningning have grown up to be this big, and he, as their father, has never fulfilled his responsibilities for a single day.
He needs to make amends.
After An'an and Ningning finished their baths and changed their clothes, he dried their hair.
The little baby in front of me smelled of soap, and his little face was clean.
Her soft, wet hair draped over her shoulders.
He first wrapped An'an's hair with a dry towel, then picked up a wooden comb. When his fingertips touched Ningning's hair, he unconsciously softened his grip. "An'an and Ningning, tomorrow morning, Daddy and Mommy will take you to school together, okay?"
These hands, which have held guns and carried cannons, have developed thick calluses on the training ground, yet now they dare not even use their teeth to comb, for fear of hurting this soft, untouched hand.
"Dad, can we go to school tomorrow?"
The one who asked this question was Ningning, who had raised her head.
Next was An'an, "Daddy, can we really go to school now?"
The two children's voices, one soft and husky, the other crisp and clear, sounded completely familiar when they called out "Dad."
Ever since he learned that An'an and Ningning were his daughters, the word "Dad" has appeared in his dreams many times.
These two kids have shouted countless times today, but he still doesn't think it's enough.
Hearing that "Dad," my throat tightened again, and something warm welled up in my eyes.
It was a grown man's sense of indebtedness, guilt, and deep blood ties to his own flesh and blood.
"Yes, Mom and Dad will take you there together."
This is the first day of school for both kids.
He wanted to deliver it personally, so that those gossiping people in the compound would know that An'an and Ningning were not children without fathers.
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